Numerous animals, including chickens and pigs, were killed when a barn at Wells Farm in Northville caught fire yesterday evening, Riverhead police said.

Officials said the fire started just before 5 p.m. at 4976 Sound Ave.

First responders said they found a large portion of the barn fully engulfed in flames when they arrived.

According to the police, members of the Wells family, which owns the facility, told first responders that animals were trapped inside the burning building. With the help of the family, Riverhead police officers rushed into the barn and were able to get some of the animals to safety.

The structure sustained extensive damage and a number of animals, which included pigs and chickens, perished in the fire, police said.

One police officer and two others were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation and transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center for additional treatment.

Humane Long Island, an animal advocacy group, was called to the scene to monitor the condition of the animals that survived the fire.

The group's executive director, John Di Leonard,o said many of the surviving animals suffered from burns, lacerations and smoke inhalation.

In a Facebook post, Erin Wells Sr., wrote, "I would like to thank all the first responders who came to our place to help with the barns that caught fire. Also, I would like to thank those who helped save as many animals as possible and get them out of the building and into an outside pen where they could get fresh air and be tended to by our personnel. I would also like to thank Stan Niegocki of Niegocki Farms for his help in tending to the animals. If anyone knows one of the first responders who were helping out please forward this to them. They all provide a great service and often don't get thanked enough."

Today, owners and staff will assess the damage to determine the fire's impact on the farm moving forward.

Several area fire departments, including Jamesport, Flanders, Mattituck, Cutchogue, Wading River, Hampton Bays and Eastport, all assisted at the scene. The fire does not appear to be suspicious in nature at this time, Riverhead police said.